Eligibility of 2003 Prototypes extended

American Le Mans Series Extends Eligibility of 2003 Prototypes through 2005
BRASELTON, GA - The American Le Mans Series and its sanctioning body, the
International Motor Sports Association (IMSA), have extended the
eligibility of 2003 ...

American Le Mans Series Extends Eligibility of 2003 Prototypes through 2005

BRASELTON, GA - The American Le Mans Series and its sanctioning body, the
International Motor Sports Association (IMSA), have extended the
eligibility of 2003 specification Prototype race cars in the series
through the 2005 season, officials have announced.

The eligibility of Le Mans Prototype (LMP) cars homologated under the
2003 Automobile Club de l'Ouest (ACO) LMP 900 and LMP 675 regulations and
run under the 2003 configuration will continue in the American Le Mans
Series through the end of 2005. The cars will continue to be classified
as LMP1 and LMP2 as specified under the relevant ACO regulations. Cars
homologated under subsequent specifications will also remain eligible in
their configurations.

The American Le Mans Series operates on an agreement with the ACO that
includes use of the famous "Le Mans" name as well as use of the technical
rules and regulations of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The eligibility
extension applies only to the ALMS and not to the 24 Hours of Le Mans or
the Le Mans Endurance Series.

"One of the founding principles of the American Le Mans Series is
stability of rules and regulations," said Scott Atherton, President and
CEO of the ALMS. "The announcement now of the extension of eligibility
for 2003 specification Prototypes through 2005 allows our current race
teams, as well as those that will be joining our series, to operate in a
stable environment as they make their plans for 2005 and beyond.

"We remain committed to two classes of Prototype racing as a major
element of the American Le Mans Series," said Atherton. "The position
that current LMP1 and LMP2 cars will remain eligible to compete in 2005
without modification has been well-received by both current Prototype
entrants and non-active Prototype owners. The response has been
unanimously positive.

"This extension of eligibility comes with the full consent of the ACO,"
he said. "As always, we greatly appreciate the spirit of cooperation
demonstrated by Mr. (Jean-Claude) Plassart (ACO President) and his
management team, and their willingness to work with us on this."

IMSA has also announced to competitors that its 2004 fee structure, which
includes entry and license fees, will remain stable for the 2005 season.

"Just as with the announcement of the extension of Prototype eligibility,
we wanted to get information about the fee structure out to race teams as
early as possible," said Tim Mayer, Chief Operating Officer for IMSA.
"This will again have the effect of creating a stable environment in
which teams can plan budgets for the 2005 season with the knowledge that
fees will not be increasing."

The next race for the American Le Mans Series will be the Toronto Grand
Prix of Mosport at Mosport International Raceway near Toronto Aug. 6-8.

About the American Le Mans Series

The American Le Mans Series is a series of North American sports car
races based on the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the world's most famous endurance
race. American Le Mans Series races feature four classes of race cars
competing for class wins and the overall win, with the fields including
many of the same drivers and cars that compete at Le Mans. The series
holds events at many of North America's premier permanent road racing
facilities. The series motto is "For the Fans" and all events feature
driver autograph sessions and open paddocks. All events are on television
in the United States. Well-known automotive brand names such as Audi,
BMW, Corvette, Dodge, Ferrari, Lamborghini, MG, Nissan, Panoz, Porsche
and Saleen are represented on the series. The series, which has its
headquarters in Braselton, Ga., was founded in 1999 by entrepreneur Don
Panoz and is sanctioned by the International Motor Sports Association
(IMSA).